A SHOALING HARBOUR

Evening Star, Issue 19892, 14 June 1928, Page 14

A SHOALING HARBOUR

WESTPORT ALARM THE GOVERNMENT APPROACHED {Peb United Pekm Association.] WESTPORT, June 13. A large and representative public meeting was to-night convened by the mayor (Mr Harkncss), at the request of the Buller Progress League, to voice the discontent of the public with the state of the harbour The Mayor read letters received from the heads of the coal and shipping companies stating that the position was very serious in the harbour owing to the failure of the authorities to keep up a continuous policy of dredging and adopt other means lo ensure deep water in the river and on the bar.

Various speakers expressed the opinion that since the Government took over the control of the harbour from the local management the conditions had become worse, and the following resolution, moved by the mayor and seconded by Mr J. C. Brown (district manager of tho Westport Coal Company) was carried unanimously:— “That this meeting of residents of the Buller district views with alarm the shoaling of Westport Harbour, both in the river and on tho bar. These conditions are seriously hampering shipping operations by short-loadings and restricted draughts, thereby imperilling tho progress and prosperity of tho district. Wo therefore strongly urge on the Government the necessity of—(1) the three dredges, Eileen Ward, Rubi Seddon, and Maui, being kept as constantly at work ns the weather will permit; (2) the immediate appointment of a competent resident harbour engineer; (3) the procuring as early as possible of a thoroughly up-to-date bucket dredge with two hoppers; (4) the appointment of at least two local representatives on the Advisory Committee of Westport Harbour. 1 ’ It was further resolved, : n they vent of the reply being unsatisfactory, to send a deputation to _ Wellington to interview the Prime Minister and the Minister of Marine.